DANCING WITH JESUS

Little girls can run just as enthusiastically as little boys. But when the running is over and the boys are still jumping up and down, the little girls are twirling. 

This fact of nature was documented in the movie, “You’ve Got Mail.” There hanging on the wall of Meg Ryan’s bookshop was a faded photograph of her and her mother.  

“What are you doing?” asked Tom Hanks.  

“Twirling,” she responded, as if that was the only explanation needed when it comes to little girls. 

But at some point in our lives, we little girls grow up. And when that happens, we want to share the dance. First with our best girlfriend. Then with a boyfriend; then a husband. But even when we’re alone, we still long to dance. 

Because God has placed in our hearts a desire to dance with Him. 

We women struggle to remember that Jesus is waiting to dance with us. To hold us and twirl us. And remind us that we are His little girl.  

I try to hold on to Jesus’ hand all day, every day. But sometimes I worry. That makes my hands sweat. So my fingers slip out. 

Sometimes fear makes me grasp and clutch, holding on to Jesus for dear life. That makes me squeeze Jesus’ hand so hard I can’t twirl no matter how hard he’s trying to lead me. 

Sometimes I have stopped seeking Jesus and He takes my limp hand, trying to lead me to the dance floor only to find myself lost in a shuffle rather than a dance.  

Sometimes I let Jesus lead me out there, but I haven’t given Him my trust. So I spend the dance staring down at my feet, instead of gazing into His eyes filled with love. 

Sometimes I feel Jesus dragging me into a dance when all I want to do is sit in the corner alone. Only later do I understand He was dragging me to the only safe place that existed—the dance floor with Him.  

Will there ever be a time when my palm isn’t sweaty; my grip is steady; when I no longer have to grasp or slip or be dragged?   

Every time I take a dance lesson with Him, set out in scripture; every time I listen to His sweet music and sing along; every time my pulse and His beat in unison, I’m one dance step closer to twirling forever with Him; relaxing in the arms of Jesus; being led across the dance floor of life with the dancer of the universe. 

And boys, if you’re still running and jumping and hopping alone, Jesus is there for you, too, running that race Paul keeps talking about.  

Or you could try twirling…

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you are the Lord of the Dance. If life is a dance, then we want to dance with you. Show us your dance and help us live it for you. Show us how to twirl in delight and abandon for you. Let our dancing be a joyful blessing to you. Amen.

WHAT ABOUT YOU? Do you dance?